First-Year Experience

MISSION OF THE FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE AT WHITTIER COLLEGE

Lisa Bortman with a studentThe purpose and function of the First Year experience at Whittier College is to help students successfully transition to college and develop dispositions of academic and social engagement.

The programs consist of the First Year Mentoring Program, participation in Freshman Orientation, Living Learning Communities, Freshman Writing Seminar and the accompanying Poet to Poet Seminar. These programs attempt to provide a mechanism for a smooth transition to the first year of college. They foster the development of relationships with faculty, students and upper class peer mentors. They teach students how to be active, contributing members of the Whittier College community.

Faculty mentors teach the Freshman Writing Seminar and also serve as first year student advisors (mentors) until students are ready to declare a major. Mentors reserve time to meet with students each week to discuss issues such as: succeeding academically, developing educational goals, investigating majors, planning for careers, graduate school, internships and study abroad, and meeting graduation requirements. Advisors/Mentors also refer students to the many services available at Whittier College.

All first year students live in Living Learning Communities. These consist of cohorts of about 16 students living in close proximity in the first year residence halls. Students in a Learning Living Community enroll together in the Freshman Writing Seminar taught by an instructor who usually serves as their faculty mentor as well. The Freshman Writing Seminar is linked with another academic course that students also take together as a cohort.

Through the first year experience, students develop close ties with faculty, upper class students and peers. They learn the meaning and importance of a liberal arts education.

First year programs consist of

  1. Freshman Orientation
  2. Academic links
  3. Freshman Writing Seminar
  4. Poet to Poet Seminar
  5. Living Learning Communities

The first year experience is designed to help students:

  • Succeed academically and socially
  • Acquire a rich sense of value and relevance of college education
  • Develop a proactive approach to learning and fully understand their educational options and career opportunities

CONTACT:

Lisa H. Bortman
Associate Dean, First Year Programs, Advising & Academic Assessment
Johnson Hall
Office: 562-464-4532
lbortman@whittier.edu